Lewis Hamilton, left, and Sebastian Vettel at Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne, Australia, March 26. Hamilton believes his respectful relationship with Vettel can endure a battle for the world championship. REUTERS/Brandon Malone

“I think the respect for one another is the highest I have felt from another driver, especially of his caliber,” Hamilton said, as quoted by The Times. “I honestly think it will stay the way it is. Who knows? Maybe we will have times when we are racing hard and there could be a scenario where one of us thinks something is unfair—being too aggressive or whatever—but we are grown men, we have come a long, long way. We have experienced a lot.”

Eighteen races remain of the season, and Hamilton and Vettel currently lead the championship with 43 points. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen sits third in the standings with 25 points.

Vettel, the German driver, has four world championships to Hamilton’s three, and the Briton says the two have a mutual respect to congratulate each other’s victories, as Vettel did in Shanghai last on Sunday.

“It’s amazing sportsmanship—when you win he enjoys it and acknowledges it, and when you lose the same thing,” Hamilton added. “We are both doing that and I think that is a great place to be.

“Naturally he wants to beat me and vice versa, but outside the car there is admiration for the others’ achievements and the way they drive. He is performing at his best—he is rapid out there—so when I am able to get ahead it is a compliment and vice versa.”